Could I do my job without Instagram?
slop capitalism and social media
The absolute whiplash of emotions I feel about social media have been swimming around in my brain recently like a soupy mess. And it’s not just me. During the recent market research calls I did with creators at least three others expressed similar soupy feelings. How do we reconcile in our minds using platforms like Instagram, TikTok, even Substack and YouTube, when we ideologically and politically disagree with the platforms’, their CEOs’ and owners’ actions and beliefs? Are we complicit in the brain-rot of society by creating content for and therefore making even more money for these billion dollar tech platforms? Can creators, educators, authors, artists, writers etc. have any chance of success without using this tech? And as consumers, what value are we getting from the platforms these days or is every time we open up the apps a disappointing time waste? Ya know, just some light thoughts swirling around my mind right now.
I recently read an article on what the author calls “slop capitalism” and they talk about how the tech platforms’ competition is not each other. Instagram is not in competition with TikTok, Netflix’s competitor is not Disney+, Amazon’s competitors are not other online retailers. The article says,
Amazon and WhatsApp compete with “going out in public” the same way Netflix competes with “sleep.” … By competing with “going out in public,” the platforms work to destroy “public.”
This really hit me when I think about the things that I value highly: hanging out in person, having free public spaces I can go to with my child, using independent local businesses like my local pub and bookshop. But how often do I show up for the things I say I value vs open up TikTok, again?
I can also feel myself being on my phone more when I’m around my three year old (not great, really not proud of this). Do I get a separate work phone that I switch off on evenings and weekends and remove all social media from my personal phone? This is a question I keep going back and forth on and was even perusing Apple’s website recently to see how much a new iPhone would even cost me.
Would it be worth the peace of mind? Or would it damage my career not being plugged in? I don’t work Fridays, I spend them with my toddler, but last Friday two cool opportunities came into my inbox aka my social media DMs that I was able to respond to promptly. Is it the end of the world if it had waited until Monday? Probably not. I could have still accessed them on my laptop if I really wanted to. And I would’ve been more present with my child on our day together.
I’m a lifestyle creator and I mentor other content creators - my career doesn’t exist without social media. Or could it? What would be the opportunity cost in abandoning these platforms?
I recently saw a job ad for a position that genuinely made me feel excited to apply (this has never happened since becoming a full time creator 10 years ago). Logistically and financially though, it made absolutely no sense for me to apply for it (but then why do I keep thinking about it?!) Also, the job is still within the creator economy so it wouldn’t actually be solving much of the problem I’m laying out here.
A creator asked me if it’s possible to have a successful podcast without having to do social media and they mentioned wanting case studies of people who’ve done it before. But where do we find these case studies? You can’t put a call out on social media for them! Maybe we’ll have some success here because it’s Substack (although this platform is also increasingly looking like other social media platforms if you open the app itself (don’t do it)), but if you or someone you know is a freelancer of sorts, creates things, any things, but doesn’t use social media to promote their business or work… let us know in the comments! Let us know it’s (maybe) possible!
I would also love to hear your thoughts on any or all of this. I understand it can feel tired hearing influencers complain about social media and tech companies but I’m also thinking about this from the perspective as a user and a mum (hence why this newsletter is all over the place!)
Should I get a work phone?
👩🏼🏫 I hosted a workshop about burnout for content creators!
A big one on my work bingo card this year and we made it happen! I hosted a workshop at FiveTwoNine for content creators all about burnout and it went really well and had some lovely feedback. Definitely something I want to do more of! If you happen to be reading this and you’re someone who works with creators (e.g. talent management, agencies, platforms etc.) then please get in touch - let’s chat! 😊
Jet Lag: The Game - a very silly yet epic and extremely well produced travel gameshow on YouTube that my assistant, Moog, clued me onto. Dan and I absolutely smashed through their latest season “Schengen Showdown” which we loved. We tried their “AU$TRALIA” season but didn’t really get into it (I think we vibe more with a game with lots of trains rather than a few flights) so we’re now watching “Tag Eur It 3” and are very happy with the presence of lots of train travel. Their tagline is “we play games where the world is our board” and you can really tell the amount of work that goes into creating the games. I’m also part way through watching/listening to this podcast about how they make it because I’m so curious about the logistical behind the scenes of the show! 🤓 Have you watched any? Do you have a fave season?
I finally made a YNAB (You Need A Budget) video.
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Having a separate phone to work has been a blessing for me. I used to work at a job where I would get calls anytime of the day or night, even when I wasn’t working to fix issues. Always felt like I couldn’t switch off. Recently have been in a job where I have a separate work phone and it is BLISS. The coming home at the end of the day, sticking it on charge and ignoring it is amazing. I used to feel guilty about not checking it all the time. But now I make sure it’s on silent and it’s an out of sight out of mind thing for me in evenings and weekends.
I haven't personally used this, but I know a lot of people swear by focus modes on the iPhone! You could create a work mode that lets you access Instagram, for example, and a home mode that hides the app (and you can do this with any app). It may not be what you're looking for exactly, but it's certainly cheaper than buying another iphone!